Rock Springs at Kelly Park

Rock Springs at Kelly Park is one of Central Florida's most magical outdoor experiences -- a natural spring-fed creek that functions as a free lazy river through a forest canopy, located just 35 minutes north of Orlando.

The spring is a second-magnitude spring producing about 26,000 gallons of water per minute from an underground aquifer. The water emerges at a constant 68 degrees into a crystal-clear pool surrounded by limestone and lush vegetation. From this head spring, the water flows northwest through a winding, tree-canopied channel for about a third of a mile.

The tubing experience is simple and perfect. Families enter the water at the head spring with inner tubes, float downstream through gentle current, exit at the designated takeout point, and walk a shady paved path back to the start. The float takes 20-30 minutes depending on water flow, and most families repeat it 3-5 times during a visit.

The water clarity is remarkable -- visibility can exceed 20 feet.

The natural setting is the magic. The float winds through a corridor of bald cypress, live oak, and cabbage palm trees that arch over the creek, creating a nearly continuous canopy of shade. Sunlight filters through in shifting patterns, turtles bask on every available log, and the only sounds are birdsong, flowing water, and the laughter of other families.

Kelly Park, which surrounds the spring, offers additional amenities including picnic pavilions with grills, restrooms, nature trails, a playground, and camping. The critical planning note: Kelly Park reaches vehicle capacity on summer weekends and literally closes the entrance gate. Arriving before 9 AM is essential on warm-weather weekends. Weekdays are dramatically different.